Case Study: General Mills UK
Mentoring Scheme 2007-2008
General Mills, which markets and manufactures brands including Häagen-Dazs, Old
El Paso and Green Giant sweet corn, re-launched its Mentoring Scheme in
2007-2008.
This initiative involves General Mills employees working to support
and
encourage older children at Bishopshalt School in Hillingdon, Middlesex to
manage
their own learning, so that they can maximise their potential and develop their
skills.
Local community research conducted by General Mills showed that its scheme
should focus on students with real vulnerability issues; improve communication
to
ensure attendance; add an e-mentoring aspect to their work; and provide an
educational and vocational element – which the company has done with the
addition of
mock job interviews and employee expectation training.
The employee expectation training focuses on developing students' willingness to
learn, communication skills and ability to demonstrate drive and energy.
General
Mills' Mentors also train pupils in creating a first impression by hel
ping them
understand what an employer is looking for; helping them to develop a good
phone
manner; and giving them tips on letter and CV writing.
So far 140 students from year 13 at the school have been involved in mock
interviews.
The school has detailed many positive results of the one-to-one
mentoring,
some academic and some relating to personal development, such as boosting in
confidence and a new found work ethic.
This initiative won a silver award at the 2008 Community Partnership Awards:
Education Category
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Book of the Year Programme
The Hillingdon Book of the Year programme is a literacy initiative involving
local school children from the 'early years' to secondary school age. General
Mills took over responsibility of the programme and sole sponsorship after
changes
in central Government funding meant that the scheme was due to close.
General Mills saw that the scheme had a huge potential for the local Hillingdon
community and felt it would be a tragedy for the children if the scheme was to
close. The company and the Borough Library Services also realised that it could
be developed and extended to cover a wider range of ages amongst school
children
to provide even more benefits to the community.
The Programme involves children reading 21 newly-published books, and provides
them support to explore, discuss and vote for their favourite books. This has
been developed for the Early Years age group to include illustrations to assist
the children's participation in discussions about the books.
40 local schools are currently involved in the programme, and since the scheme
has been developed there has been an upturn in literacy performance statistics
in the schools which are involved.
This initiative was highly commended in 2007 Community Partnership Awards:
Education Category
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Mentoring Scheme
In the development of its overall charitable / community strategy, General Mills
researched the needs of its local community via a number of local institutions
and bodies. The company's research strongly indicated that there was a real
need
for mentors within its local borough of Hillingdon – the result was the
development of General Mills' Mentoring Scheme.
The Mentoring Scheme takes place during work hours and the employees involved
are fully supported to take any time out of the office that is required in this
important project.
A team of 16 mentors, including members of the company's Executive team attend
twice monthly mentoring sessions with groups of 14/15 year old students at the
local secondary school. The aim of the project is to boost student achievement
levels and increase feelings of self esteem, whilst giving students a forum for
impartial guidance and advice outside of that which they may find in the home
or
school environment.
This initiative won a Gold Award Winner of 2006 Community Partnership Awards:
Education Category
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More Information
FDF has published a booklet called Working in the Community: the food industry in action
(pdf, 1.2Mb) . This publication features a range of company case studies and
Community
Partnership Award winners demonstrating how our members are forging
links
with
their local communities and consumers.
Last reviewed: 12 Jan 2009